Tranx for the advice

THE man who set up now world-renowned drug dependancy group Oldham Tranx is set to retire after 23 years’ service.

Mike Levins, a former community psychiatric nurse, set up the group in 1989 for those battling tranquilliser addiction, Since then the group has expanded to serve anyone on anti-depressants.

The voluntary advice group, which runs on grants and donations, meets every Monday at Oldham’s Rock Centre. Visitors from as far as Australia and Canada have seen how the group allows patients to withdraw from drugs safely and at their own pace.

Mike (77), of Aster Street, Oldham, began his nursing career at Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, but it was during National Service that he realised his vocation and started work in psychiatric nursing.

Current chairman Barry Haslam said: “Mike was my mentor and he has helped hundreds and hundreds of people from across Oldham. He was one of the pioneers for this type of group.”


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